Insurance organizations launch wildfire prevention program

With more than 10,000 wildfires having occurred already this year, two insurance organizations are launching a new prevention program to help people avoid losing their homes to similar environmental hazards.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety formally announced the kick to the program, "Ready, Set, Go!" at a recent conference held annually by the IAFC.

Julie Rochman, president and CEO of IBHS, said she's confident people can save their homes by putting the preventive steps to use.

"The Ready, Set, Go! program is a simple and effective three-step process that homeowners should implement now to reduce their risk of damage from wildfire," Rochman said.

The program hopes to provide fire departments with additional resources they need to fight fires, but it also aims to teach homeowners about how they can create their own "action plan" to protect their property and potentially save lives.

Home insurance is crucial for people who live in states where wildfires are common. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, there has been 17,068 wildfires in 2011, burning approximately 589,416 acres. NIFC also reports that there are wildfires currently occurring in three states - Georgia, Mississippi and Oklahoma.